
Wannstedt must learn delegation
PITTSBURGH — Dave Wannstedt is obviously a good recruiter. Pitt’s football program gets some impressive talent, even though it hasn’t been at at elite status for a while. Yet the results don’t seem to match up with the talent, and that comes back to coaching. There’s no way Wannstedt isn’t directly responsible for that. Even if he has subpar coordinators, he does the hiring and he delegates the authority. Really smart coaches understand their own strengths and weaknesses. Bill Cowher wasn’t the NFL’s greatest Xs and Os guy, but he smart enough to hire top-notch coordinators. Cowher stomped around the sidelines like a madman, while people like Dom Capers and Dick LeBeau addressed the details. Maybe that’s what Wannstedt needs to do, too. Get some first-rate coordinators and give them the authority to manage the game. Show the players they have the staff’s confidence by refusing to take the safest approach at every turn. Believe in them so they can believe in themselves.
» Full StoryNo. 1 picks give teams headaches
PITTSBURGH — It’s been an interesting summer for the home teams and their No. 1 draft picks.
The Steelers picked a guy who can’t seem to hold onto the football, while the Pirates opted for one who either can’t tell time or count.
Steelers' line filled with concern
PITTSBURGH — You know by now that preseason NFL games don’t count for anything.
It’s a way for coaches to collect game-speed tape on players to make roster decisions that probably could have been made on the first day of camp.
Spending, traveling & complaining
The Pirates ran up a tab of about $10 million on their widely-praised draft, which was headed by $6 million man Pedro Alvarez.
» Full StoryPast picks set bad precedent
PITTSBURGH — The Pirates’ personnel were walking on air after they signed No. 1 draft pick Pedro Alvarez the other night.
They considered the latest draft a smashing success. We’ll see in three or four years.
Lemieux’s arrogance unnecessary
PITTSBURGH — Mario Lemieux used Thursday’s arena groundbreaking ceremony to reveal it wasn’t the first time he’d wielded a shovel for the project.
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